Advice to many who are out of work and upset about it. To those who are "sending out their resume" only to land on a stack of scores of other resumes - for a job that might go away the next day. Yes, you might be out of a traditional, old-fashioned JOB, but you need not be out of good-paying Work. Question: 

• Do you have a couple good, solid client relationships with clients who like and trust you?
• Have you given them some good ideas that have worked for them?
• Do you know how to write (or find) some decent copy?
• Did you sell them schedules, remotes, web stuff, NTR projects?

That means you also know how to negotiate these things for them with other stations or even your old stations.

Think about it. You've probably called on more small businesses than any agency person in town. You know what the client is trying to accomplish and what they need. Don't know about artwork? Copy? The Internet? Do like many agencies, job it out by the hour. It's important that you quickly get some background in television, print and outdoor. It's easy. A couple good TV, cable and outdoor reps would love to tell you more about how their business works. There are plenty of books and articles about starting your home-based business. 

We can share more on this subject if there's a demand. For example, 

• Don't offer to do "all their advertising" just offer to work on a project.
• Get a retainer.
• Then get a bonus for reaching a pre-determined, reachable goal.
• DO NOT take responsibility for the Client's Credit. 

In this economy there really isn't such a thing as Job Security. It is becoming an old-fashioned notion. Long term loyalty can no longer be rewarded - only long term productivity.

A student just out of college asked Warren Buffet's advice regarding who he should work for. Buffet told him to go to work for someone he admired and respected. The guy went into business for himself.